The 2019 Class

[GretnaShawn]

This years class is sitting at 16 and looks to be a top 20 class (when removing Bland). Which seems like a pretty solid class when we are coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. If you go off of average star rating, we are sitting at 20 (and would most likely drop when Bland is removed).

We ended up third in the conference and first in the division. And based of average star ranking fourth in the conference and first in the division. When you dive into our divisional rivals classes, we look really good. This has been historically the case in the B10, but hopefully Frost can actually develop the talent.

Nebraska has (10) 4*, Purdue and Wisconsin both have (6). Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Minnesota (2), Northwestern (0). But the classes really separate when you look at 5.7 rated players. Nebraska (9), Purdue (2), Wisconsin (4), Iowa (3), Minnesota (3), Northwestern (1), Illinois (3).

So Nebraska has nearly double the 4 star players of the nearest best divisional class and two to three times the 5.7 three stars. That is a big separation, IMO.

Also, when you look at the offer lists of the 'lower' ranked prospects (5.6 and below), every single Nebraska signee holds another P5 offer. Purdue had (7) signees that did not hold another P5 offer, Wisconsin had (4), Iowa (7) and Minnesota (5) (I didn't do NW or IL)

What would you grade this class?

I think a B+ overall is fair. The offensive recruiting was closer to an A. And the defensive recruiting was closer to a B-.

For offense there is is hard to find a position to complain about. Got a good QB, a lot of solid RBs, speedy WRs, a big TE, offensive tackles. Actual, honest to God offensive tackles. And not just one one them. A handful of them. When is the last time we've had that?

The only complaint would be the lack of a bigger WR? Or missing out on Bland?

For the defense, it is easier to find some complaints. No immediate impact for rush OLB. Lack of true CB bodies. No true HS nose tackle (maybe Piper grows into that role?). Still high end talent. Pola-Gates, Robinson, Henrich, Hannah are all big time gets.

One thing I really liked about this class is when it looked like there may be a handful of guys coming after the early signing period and a lack of room left in the class, it was hard to find a signee that I wished didn't sign to make room for another higher rated prospect. For a class of 26, that is a great sign.

 

[MOhusker12]

This years class is sitting at 16 and looks to be a top 20 class (when removing Bland). Which seems like a pretty solid class when we are coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. If you go off of average star rating, we are sitting at 20 (and would most likely drop when Bland is removed).

We ended up third in the conference and first in the division. And based of average star ranking fourth in the conference and first in the division. When you dive into our divisional rivals classes, we look really good. This has been historically the case in the B10, but hopefully Frost can actually develop the talent.

Nebraska has (10) 4*, Purdue and Wisconsin both have (6). Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Minnesota (2), Northwestern (0). But the classes really separate when you look at 5.7 rated players. Nebraska (9), Purdue (2), Wisconsin (4), Iowa (3), Minnesota (3), Northwestern (1), Illinois (3).

So Nebraska has nearly double the 4 star players of the nearest best divisional class and two to three times the 5.7 three stars. That is a big separation, IMO.

Also, when you look at the offer lists of the 'lower' ranked prospects (5.6 and below), every single Nebraska signee holds another P5 offer. Purdue had (7) signees that did not hold another P5 offer, Wisconsin had (4), Iowa (7) and Minnesota (5) (I didn't do NW or IL)

What would you grade this class?

I think a B+ overall is fair. The offensive recruiting was closer to an A. And the defensive recruiting was closer to a B-.

For offense there is is hard to find a position to complain about. Got a good QB, a lot of solid RBs, speedy WRs, a big TE, offensive tackles. Actual, honest to God offensive tackles. And not just one one them. A handful of them. When is the last time we've had that?

The only complaint would be the lack of a bigger WR? Or missing out on Bland?

For the defense, it is easier to find some complaints. No immediate impact for rush OLB. Lack of true CB bodies. No true HS nose tackle (maybe Piper grows into that role?). Still high end talent. Pola-Gates, Robinson, Henrich, Hannah are all big time gets.

One thing I really liked about this class is when it looked like there may be a handful of guys coming after the early signing period and a lack of room left in the class, it was hard to find a signee that I wished didn't sign to make room for another higher rated prospect. For a class of 26, that is a great sign.

The lack of true CB bodies, is because they are targeting longer and leaner players at that position. It appears the days of 5'9 corners is over with Frost.

 

[o_Hit]

The lack of true CB bodies, is because they are targeting longer and leaner players at that position. It appears the days of 5'9 corners is over with Frost.

This.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

There is always room for improvement, but I thought they did more than a decent job in the recruiting department. You have to consider there is still some good momentum, even after the disappointing season results. Next year, the win/loss column has to be much better to sustain that momentum, and it will likely turn out that way, so I think the future looks pretty good.

One final note I would like to add.. it was nice to see the class filling up much earlier this year. That is a good thing that they need to continue doing. There is nothing worse than seeing an anemic class numbers-wise going into the season while others are full or nearly full. That's a big improvement. GBR

 

[Maui2022]

Separation is even greater when you consider the walk on class. Maybe the best in 20 years

 

[HuskerLLM]

People should relax on the"bigger wide receiver"...Hickman is pretty much the exact size and with pretty much the exact measureables as Njoku. This has been a fan driven issue and not one from the staff.

Expect to see blazing speed from wideouts and athletic TEs from here on out.

As for CBs...as the other poster mentioned, we are recruiting long DBs and using them in different ways.

 

[DudznSudz]

Athlon Sports rated us as a B+, just like you did.

We got an A at QB, A+ at WR/TE, an A at RB, and A- at O-line.

We got a C+ at LB, a C at DL, and a like a B or a B- at DB.

Frost addressed the DL and LB thing yesterday though, mentioning that this year it's going to be like getting a few extra guys, since Wildeman, Rogers, and a few other guys were injured basically the whole year and never contributed anything.

Athlon concluded that this class is the best since 2011, and that next year is going to be a lot of fun because a lot of these young guys have been learning together. The only thing we need to do is make sure that the 2020 class has some really big time defensive playmakers, because that was the only part of this class that was a little weak.

The future looks bright!

 

[Lincoln100]

Ty Robinson, Jamin Graham, Ethan Piper, Mosai Newsom > "C." At the very least, Robinson and Piper are going to be really good.



Myles Farmer, Nick Henrich, Jackson Hannah, Garrett Snodgrass, Garrett Nelson > "C+." At the very least, Farmer, Henrich and Hannah are going to be really good. I know Farmer is recruited as a DB, but I am hopeful he can end up at LB.

 

[GretnaShawn]

Ty Robinson, Jamin Graham, Ethan Piper, Mosai Newsom > "C." At the very least, Robinson and Piper are going to be really good.



Myles Farmer, Nick Henrich, Jackson Hannah, Garrett Snodgrass, Garrett Nelson > "C+." At the very least, Farmer, Henrich and Hannah are going to be really good. I know Farmer is recruited as a DB, but I am hopeful he can end up at LB.

Graham is an OLB. So you really only have Robinson, Piper and Newsom. I agree C is too low, though.

 

[MOhusker12]

Ty Robinson, Jamin Graham, Ethan Piper, Mosai Newsom > "C." At the very least, Robinson and Piper are going to be really good.



Myles Farmer, Nick Henrich, Jackson Hannah, Garrett Snodgrass, Garrett Nelson > "C+." At the very least, Farmer, Henrich and Hannah are going to be really good. I know Farmer is recruited as a DB, but I am hopeful he can end up at LB.

I have a feeling that Garrett Nelson is going to end up being a really good player. The kid plays with a motor that does not stop.

 

[Headcard]

Graham is an OLB. So you really only have Robinson, Piper and Newsom. I agree C is too low, though.

Banks is a DE.

 

[TheBeav815]

This class was a step in the right direction. Landed double-digit 4* kids, got in on and closed on a few elite targets such as NPG, Wandale, Ty Robinson.

Hell of a class at RB. Zero-drama QB recruiting cycle. I won't make any big prognostications about McCaffrey because you just don't know what you'll get with QBs until they've played in several real games, but he's athletic and smart, and looks improved as a passer.

Bodies. In. The. Trenches. You'd love some CB and some OLB but they are loading up on guys to get the job done up front, and that's where teams are made or broken at the end of the day. They're building DL depth to counter teams like Wisconsin and Iowa who are going to bang it at you all day and see if you don't break in the second half.

They also need the OL to be able to run that piggy when it gets windy and sloppy in November and the weather is not conducive to 45 pass attempts.

Really like what they did in the face of a very frustrating season. To pull a class like this at 4-8 speaks to their ability to sell a vision of the future. That said, they need to keep selling and take the next step up.

Still looking way up at PSU, OSU and UM in recruiting. That gap needs to close, winning the West and then hoping to jump up and get a talent-rich East team in the CCG is not a program philosophy Frost will be content with. That division will cannibalize itself, they can't all three win the division every year.

This will be a very young team next year. Hopefully they can put it on some teams and show improvement in the W-L column to keep the momentum going in the right direction.

 

[GretnaShawn]

Banks is a DE.

Forgot about him! Thanks!

 

[nwualum_rivals330058]

All I know is that the days of getting ran over and pushed around are about to end!!

 

[dinglefritz]

This years class is sitting at 16 and looks to be a top 20 class (when removing Bland). Which seems like a pretty solid class when we are coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. If you go off of average star rating, we are sitting at 20 (and would most likely drop when Bland is removed).

We ended up third in the conference and first in the division. And based of average star ranking fourth in the conference and first in the division. When you dive into our divisional rivals classes, we look really good. This has been historically the case in the B10, but hopefully Frost can actually develop the talent.

Nebraska has (10) 4*, Purdue and Wisconsin both have (6). Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Minnesota (2), Northwestern (0). But the classes really separate when you look at 5.7 rated players. Nebraska (9), Purdue (2), Wisconsin (4), Iowa (3), Minnesota (3), Northwestern (1), Illinois (3).

So Nebraska has nearly double the 4 star players of the nearest best divisional class and two to three times the 5.7 three stars. That is a big separation, IMO.

Also, when you look at the offer lists of the 'lower' ranked prospects (5.6 and below), every single Nebraska signee holds another P5 offer. Purdue had (7) signees that did not hold another P5 offer, Wisconsin had (4), Iowa (7) and Minnesota (5) (I didn't do NW or IL)

What would you grade this class?

I think a B+ overall is fair. The offensive recruiting was closer to an A. And the defensive recruiting was closer to a B-.

For offense there is is hard to find a position to complain about. Got a good QB, a lot of solid RBs, speedy WRs, a big TE, offensive tackles. Actual, honest to God offensive tackles. And not just one one them. A handful of them. When is the last time we've had that?

The only complaint would be the lack of a bigger WR? Or missing out on Bland?

For the defense, it is easier to find some complaints. No immediate impact for rush OLB. Lack of true CB bodies. No true HS nose tackle (maybe Piper grows into that role?). Still high end talent. Pola-Gates, Robinson, Henrich, Hannah are all big time gets.

One thing I really liked about this class is when it looked like there may be a handful of guys coming after the early signing period and a lack of room left in the class, it was hard to find a signee that I wished didn't sign to make room for another higher rated prospect. For a class of 26, that is a great sign.

I'm not sure the staff is as worried about that OLB pass rusher as we are. I think we may have a kid in this class already who will fill that role. IF they were, I think they would have gone after Asante harder. This class passes the test on paper. Now to find out if they pass the eyeball test in Husker uniforms.

 

[inWV]

For a program coming off of a 4-8 season that was preceded by a damage to the core of the program, this recruiting class is a welcome surprise. The staff seems to enjoy the process and works hard at it. It isn't all sizzle and no steak, ala Calibraska Riley.

 

[HuskerLLM]

I'm not sure the staff is as worried about that OLB pass rusher as we are. I think we may have a kid in this class already who will fill that role. IF they were, I think they would have gone after Asante harder. This class passes the test on paper. Now to find out if they pass the eyeball test in Husker uniforms.

Asante is more of a Field or Inside Backer, they wanted another Boundary

 

[RedMyMind]

The lack of true CB bodies, is because they are targeting longer and leaner players at that position. It appears the days of 5'9 corners is over with Frost.

So the Bookie transfer rumors aren't true? Laughing

 

[GretnaShawn]

To add on to my OP. I really, really like the lack of late night Sun Belt dumpster diving.

When you go back to previous classes, Nebraska took so many reaches late.

2008- Mason Wald, Justin Rogers, Lester Ward, Tim Marlowe
2009- shockingly, none
2010- Bronson Marsh
2011- David Sutton
2012- LeRoy Alexander (who was good due to vitamin S), Corey Whitaker
2013- Boaz Joseph, Ernest Suttles
2014- Deandre Wills, AJ Bush, Sedrick King,. Glenn Irons, Jariah Tolbert
2015- Transition class- won't count
2016- David Engelhaupt
2017- Chris Walker, Jaylin Bradley

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

To add on to my OP. I really, really like the lack of late night Sun Belt dumpster diving.

When you go back to previous classes, Nebraska took so many reaches late.

2008- Mason Wald, Justin Rogers, Lester Ward, Tim Marlowe
2009- shockingly, none
2010- Bronson Marsh
2011- David Sutton
2012- LeRoy Alexander (who was good due to vitamin S), Corey Whitaker
2013- Boaz Joseph, Ernest Suttles
2014- Deandre Wills, AJ Bush, Sedrick King,. Glenn Irons, Jariah Tolbert
2015- Transition class- won't count
2016- David Engelhaupt
2017- Chris Walker, Jaylin Bradley

I see where you’re coming from. But rule changes factored in to how recruiting has changed. Before 2014-15, scholarships were one year renewable deals. If you took a flyer you could cut them loose after a year if you want to. I’m not saying that Pelini ever cut anyone loose, but in theory he could have. With the advent of 4 year scholarships, coaches became a lot more conservative in their approach.

 

[jeans15]

Don't for get we added a DT in this class too. Considered a 4 star recruit.

I still would have taken the juco DT for depth purposes.

 

[Blackshirts4life339]

I like this break down of recruiting. It illustrates that we have been SUPER underperforming in the West and even the BIG overall. I too like the chances of Frost correcting this. The only concern for me, like most is defensive recruiting. We’ve loaded up the past 2 classes with offensive superstars compared to average defenders, not to mention better offensive scheme and coaching. It’s growing obvious we will likely lead the conference in plenty of offensive numbers but if we can’t stop anyone that will be somewhat nullified. At least we are in for exciting games! I think every season will be loaded with hype with this staff. We are in the good place!

 

[jeans15]

I like this break down of recruiting. It illustrates that we have been SUPER underperforming in the West and even the BIG overall. I too like the chances of Frost correcting this. The only concern for me, like most is defensive recruiting. We’ve loaded up the past 2 classes with offensive superstars compared to average defenders, not to mention better offensive scheme and coaching. It’s growing obvious we will likely lead the conference in plenty of offensive numbers but if we can’t stop anyone that will be somewhat nullified. At least we are in for exciting games! I think every season will be loaded with hype with this staff. We are in the good place!

2 4 star DEs
3 4 star lbs
3 4star DBs
1 4 star lb transfer
1 4 star DT transfer

In the last 2 classes

 

[Headcard]

Don't for get we added a DT in this class too. Considered a 4 star recruit.

I still would have taken the juco DT for depth purposes.

Not getting Fair and/or MPG will be an issue down the road. In 2020, we will only have Danniels and Piper returning at NT. Got to get Hutmacher this cycle.

 

[HominidHusker]

good post gretnashawn.

Now we keep the majority of the talent and get them on the field and the underachieving results of yesteryear should disappear.

Future is bright in HuskerLand.

 

[HuskerLLM]

Not getting Fair and/or MPG will be an issue down the road. In 2020, we will only have Danniels and Piper returning at NT. Got to get Hutmacher this cycle.

Wish either/both would have been an option for us...agree that we will need some help after this year

 

[bshirt73]

This class was a step in the right direction. Landed double-digit 4* kids, got in on and closed on a few elite targets such as NPG, Wandale, Ty Robinson.

Hell of a class at RB. Zero-drama QB recruiting cycle. I won't make any big prognostications about McCaffrey because you just don't know what you'll get with QBs until they've played in several real games, but he's athletic and smart, and looks improved as a passer.

Bodies. In. The. Trenches. You'd love some CB and some OLB but they are loading up on guys to get the job done up front, and that's where teams are made or broken at the end of the day. They're building DL depth to counter teams like Wisconsin and Iowa who are going to bang it at you all day and see if you don't break in the second half.

They also need the OL to be able to run that piggy when it gets windy and sloppy in November and the weather is not conducive to 45 pass attempts.

Really like what they did in the face of a very frustrating season. To pull a class like this at 4-8 speaks to their ability to sell a vision of the future. That said, they need to keep selling and take the next step up.

Still looking way up at PSU, OSU and UM in recruiting. That gap needs to close, winning the West and then hoping to jump up and get a talent-rich East team in the CCG is not a program philosophy Frost will be content with. That division will cannibalize itself, they can't all three win the division every year.

This will be a very young team next year. Hopefully they can put it on some teams and show improvement in the W-L column to keep the momentum going in the right direction.

Damn fine post sir!

You betcha, the big ugies are super critical for Big10 smashmouth. Especially with the weather. It's just great that SF & staff really, really know what they're doing. It's going to be fun!

 

[cmblizz96]

I like this break down of recruiting. It illustrates that we have been SUPER underperforming in the West and even the BIG overall. I too like the chances of Frost correcting this. The only concern for me, like most is defensive recruiting. We’ve loaded up the past 2 classes with offensive superstars compared to average defenders, not to mention better offensive scheme and coaching. It’s growing obvious we will likely lead the conference in plenty of offensive numbers but if we can’t stop anyone that will be somewhat nullified. At least we are in for exciting games! I think every season will be loaded with hype with this staff. We are in the good place!

Why is the offensive scheme and coaching so much better than our defensive scheme and coaching? What scheme is better? I am not in the camp with the idea that Erik Chinander is some how a liability as a defensive coordinator. With zero continuity with coaches and scheme, failures with recruiting both talent and depth, and terrible player development. How is Chinander exactly going to make that kind of a **** show into even a respectable defense in one year? Last year had issues but the defense did improve as the season progressed. I would expect that improvement to continue with the influx of talent and continued player development.

 

[HominidHusker]

Why is the offensive scheme and coaching so much better than our defensive scheme and coaching? What scheme is better? I am not in the camp with the idea that Erik Chinander is some how a liability as a defensive coordinator. With zero continuity with coaches and scheme, failures with recruiting both talent and depth, and terrible player development. How is Chinander exactly going to make that kind of a **** show into even a respectable defense in one year? Last year had issues but the defense did improve as the season progressed. I would expect that improvement to continue with the influx of talent and continued player development.

I think he’s just “unproven” so there are nerves out there, rightfully so.
But no doubt he needs to be given time to see what he can do.
My amateur eye did not mind his schemes for the most part, but it was the execution and talent that hurt us.
This compared to watching Diaco’s year one and Cosgrove’s time when the schemes seemed fatally flawed even to the amateur eye.
I’m excited to hopefully see the emergence of some true blackshirt football.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I think he’s just “unproven” so there are nerves out there, rightfully so.
But no doubt he needs to be given time to see what he can do.
My amateur eye did not mind his schemes for the most part, but it was the execution and talent that hurt us.
This compared to watching Diaco’s year one and Cosgrove’s time when the schemes seemed fatally flawed even to the amateur eye.
I’m excited to hopefully see the emergence of some true blackshirt football.

A couple of things, Nebraska, under Frost does not play smash mouth Big Ten football. Because they don't, keep the ball and dominate the time of possession, the defense is going to be on the field a lot more than what we are used to. The sooner we get used to this and accept it to be true, the better. And the less often we have to have this same conversation. Chin's defenses will never be a top 10 team in yards allowed or points allowed per game. Again the sooner we accept this to be true to better we all will be.

Now Nebraska can have an effective defense, but when you attack like they do, you are going to give up chunk plays, its the nature of the beast.

Fans are going to continue to question the scheme until Nebraska is able to get people off the field on 3rd down, cause turnovers, and create situations where the offense is off schedule due to sacks and TFLs. Those 3 stats alone will how we can determine how successful the defense is. In my opinion.

 

[Solana Beach Husker]

People should relax on the"bigger wide receiver"...Hickman is pretty much the exact size and with pretty much the exact measureables as Njoku. This has been a fan driven issue and not one from the staff.

Expect to see blazing speed from wideouts and athletic TEs from here on out.

As for CBs...as the other poster mentioned, we are recruiting long DBs and using them in different ways.

I agree, recruiting "bigger" guys plays into the strength of the conference. Our division foes generally have pretty physical secondaries and our possession guys have had little success against Iowa, Wisky over the years. We have seen some big plays from our speed guys though and we know those schools are not busting at the seams with speed.

 

[HominidHusker]

A couple of things, Nebraska, under Frost does not play smash mouth Big Ten football. Because they don't, keep the ball and dominate the time of possession, the defense is going to be on the field a lot more than what we are used to. The sooner we get used to this and accept it to be true, the better. And the less often we have to have this same conversation. Chin's defenses will never be a top 10 team in yards allowed or points allowed per game. Again the sooner we accept this to be true to better we all will be.

Now Nebraska can have an effective defense, but when you attack like they do, you are going to give up chunk plays, its the nature of the beast.

Fans are going to continue to question the scheme until Nebraska is able to get people off the field on 3rd down, cause turnovers, and create situations where the offense is off schedule due to sacks and TFLs. Those 3 stats alone will how we can determine how successful the defense is. In my opinion.

I mostly agree with this and never meant to insinuate top 10 defenses, but it’s clear our defensive play must improve drastically. Style has nothing to do with being ranked in the 90’s and 100’s in several categories.
What success looks like can be adjusted for number of possessions etc. Looking at yards per play will be an indicator, as well as the other factors mentioned like turnovers and sacks.
I already was pleased with the improvement we witnessed over the year last year. It’s time to keep rising to the point of being dominant again, even if dominance may look different.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

I mostly agree with this and never meant to insinuate top 10 defenses, but it’s clear our defensive play must improve drastically. Style has nothing to do with being ranked in the 90’s and 100’s in several categories.
What success looks like can be adjusted for number of possessions etc. Looking at yards per play will be an indicator, as well as the other factors mentioned like turnovers and sacks.
I already was pleased with the improvement we witnessed over the year last year. It’s time to keep rising to the point of being dominant again, even if dominance may look different.

It’s cool. I just don’t like the terms dominant and dominance. People confuse that with shut outs and 100 yards per game in total offense allowed.

 

[bshirt73]

I agree, recruiting "bigger" guys plays into the strength of the conference. Our division foes generally have pretty physical secondaries and our possession guys have had little success against Iowa, Wisky over the years. We have seen some big plays from our speed guys though and we know those schools are not busting at the seams with speed.

Yep, even though our defense got horribly run over it was fun watching TMart run circles around Wisky. He left them in the dust......

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

To add on to my OP. I really, really like the lack of late night Sun Belt dumpster diving.

When you go back to previous classes, Nebraska took so many reaches late.

2008- Mason Wald, Justin Rogers, Lester Ward, Tim Marlowe
2009- shockingly, none
2010- Bronson Marsh
2011- David Sutton
2012- LeRoy Alexander (who was good due to vitamin S), Corey Whitaker
2013- Boaz Joseph, Ernest Suttles
2014- Deandre Wills, AJ Bush, Sedrick King,. Glenn Irons, Jariah Tolbert
2015- Transition class- won't count
2016- David Engelhaupt
2017- Chris Walker, Jaylin Bradley

Is Boaz Joseph still on the team? Seems that guy was on the roster for like 7 years.

 

[red scowl]

This years class is sitting at 16 and looks to be a top 20 class (when removing Bland). Which seems like a pretty solid class when we are coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons. If you go off of average star rating, we are sitting at 20 (and would most likely drop when Bland is removed).

We ended up third in the conference and first in the division. And based of average star ranking fourth in the conference and first in the division. When you dive into our divisional rivals classes, we look really good. This has been historically the case in the B10, but hopefully Frost can actually develop the talent.

Nebraska has (10) 4*, Purdue and Wisconsin both have (6). Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Minnesota (2), Northwestern (0). But the classes really separate when you look at 5.7 rated players. Nebraska (9), Purdue (2), Wisconsin (4), Iowa (3), Minnesota (3), Northwestern (1), Illinois (3).

So Nebraska has nearly double the 4 star players of the nearest best divisional class and two to three times the 5.7 three stars. That is a big separation, IMO.

Also, when you look at the offer lists of the 'lower' ranked prospects (5.6 and below), every single Nebraska signee holds another P5 offer. Purdue had (7) signees that did not hold another P5 offer, Wisconsin had (4), Iowa (7) and Minnesota (5) (I didn't do NW or IL)

What would you grade this class?

I think a B+ overall is fair. The offensive recruiting was closer to an A. And the defensive recruiting was closer to a B-.

For offense there is is hard to find a position to complain about. Got a good QB, a lot of solid RBs, speedy WRs, a big TE, offensive tackles. Actual, honest to God offensive tackles. And not just one one them. A handful of them. When is the last time we've had that?

The only complaint would be the lack of a bigger WR? Or missing out on Bland?

For the defense, it is easier to find some complaints. No immediate impact for rush OLB. Lack of true CB bodies. No true HS nose tackle (maybe Piper grows into that role?). Still high end talent. Pola-Gates, Robinson, Henrich, Hannah are all big time gets.

One thing I really liked about this class is when it looked like there may be a handful of guys coming after the early signing period and a lack of room left in the class, it was hard to find a signee that I wished didn't sign to make room for another higher rated prospect. For a class of 26, that is a great sign.

We are recruiting length and speed. I wouldn't be surprised to see some safeties become olb, i.e. Jojo Doman. If you can't recruit them, you have to build them.

 

[SoFL Husker]

Not getting Fair and/or MPG will be an issue down the road. In 2020, we will only have Danniels and Piper returning at NT. Got to get Hutmacher this cycle.

Does Hutch project as a 3-4 nose? I would think a kid with his talent would prefer a 4-3 DT, more room to play in the NFL

 

[HominidHusker]

Not getting Fair and/or MPG will be an issue down the road. In 2020, we will only have Danniels and Piper returning at NT. Got to get Hutmacher this cycle.

The NT position is certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward since the only one who may potentially play there is Piper. Dawson has said he likes guys that can play all spots along the line, and they’ll mix it up with different fronts, but to continue w/ any 3-4, it seems they really need to always have a couple “true” NT.
Deontre Thomas is a guy I’m curious about. He may be one to step into that role and surprise us. He’s an athletic big dude and may have enough frame to pack on some good lbs.

 

[Headcard]

The NT position is certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward since the only one who may potentially play there is Piper. Dawson has said he likes guys that can play all spots along the line, and they’ll mix it up with different fronts, but to continue w/ any 3-4, it seems they really need to always have a couple “true” NT.
Deontre Thomas is a guy I’m curious about. He may be one to step into that role and surprise us. He’s an athletic big dude and may have enough frame to pack on some good lbs.

I thought about Deontre too. It would make sense to slide him inside. He played there some as a true freshman and we will have a lot of bodies at DE with: Stille, Robinson, Wildman, Rodgers, Newsome, etc.

 

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Does Hutch project as a 3-4 nose? I would think a kid with his talent would prefer a 4-3 DT, more room to play in the NFL

I believe we are recruiting him as a NT. Plenty of money to be made as a 3-4 NT, just aske Harrison Phillips.